FOCUS ON ROCHDALE

8 January 2015

Bantams boss Phil Parkinson insists he is focused on only one team in blue at the moment - and that this Saturday's Sky Bet League 1 opponents Rochdale.

Following this week's F.A Cup fourth round draw, City face the mouth-watering prospect of a trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea later this month if they can overcome Championship side Millwall in a replay next Wednesday.

Despite that particular match coming up on the horizon though, Parkinson is keen to put thoughts of facing any team other than Rochdale very much to one side ahead of this weekend.

Parkinson is certainly aware of the threat Rochdale could pose City at the Coral Windows Stadium and he knows the Bantams will have to be fully focused on the job in hand this Saturday should they wish to get the right result.

Parkinson said: "Rochdale is a good game for us to focus on.

"We had a terrific performance and victory at Rochdale towards the start of this season. It was a very energetic and committed performance from us that day and we will need to put in a similar display again.

"Rochdale play a very high-tempo style of football and they close down all over the pitch.

"They play the division well and we will have to make sure we match that.

"The progress we have made in the league this season so far has been good. The signings from the summer have settled in well mainly and we now want to push on.

"We must do that by maintaining our standards every day at the training ground. We aren't going to win every game - we would love to - but we must guarantee that we keep up our professional performances and see where that takes us."

Bantams defender Rory McArdle - a former Rochdale player - echoed his manager's sentiments ahead of this weekend's meeting with one of his old clubs.

McArdle added: "We will be just taking one game at a time and not getting carried away.

"If we get too far ahead of ourselves, we might lose the next two games and then no-one will be talking about us.

"We don't want to throw things away. The best preparation we can have for next Wednesday is to go and try to win the match on Saturday.

"We want to keep our unbeaten run going and add another three points onto the board."